Jason’s Deli is a popular sandwich shop and deli restaurant chain with locations across the United States. One of their most popular menu items is their tomato basil soup, which is a creamy tomato-based soup flavored with fresh basil. But is Jason’s Deli’s tomato basil soup actually good? That’s the question we’ll explore in this article.
Nutrition Facts
First, let’s look at the nutrition facts for Jason’s Deli tomato basil soup according to their website:
| Serving Size | 1 cup (245g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 840mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g |
| Total Sugars | 8g |
| Protein | 5g |
As you can see, a 1 cup serving of Jason’s Deli tomato basil soup contains 180 calories, 24g of carbs, 8g of fat, 15mg of cholesterol, 840mg of sodium, and 5g of protein.
It’s moderately high in calories, carbs, fat, and sodium compared to some other tomato soups. The 24g of carbs per serving is a bit high, with 8g coming from sugar. The 840mg of sodium is also quite high for a single serving of soup.
However, the soup does contain 3g of fiber per serving, which is decent. It also provides a small amount of protein.
Overall, the nutritional profile of Jason’s Deli tomato basil soup is decent but not exceptional. It’s a little higher in carbs, fat, and sodium compared to some other options.
Ingredients
Now let’s take a look at the ingredients list for Jason’s Deli tomato basil soup:
Tomato puree (water, tomato paste), half and half (milk, cream), modified food starch, contains less than 2% of: basil, sea salt, vegetable base (sauteed vegetable puree mix [carrots, onions, celery], salt, sugar, maltodextrin, corn oil, less than 2% of yeast extract, water, potato starch, xanthan gum, natural flavors, carrot juice concentrate), canola oil, white wine vinegar, seasoning blend (spices, yeast extract), garlic juice, citric acid.
The main ingredients are tomato puree, half and half, and some thickeners like modified food starch. Fresh basil also makes an appearance which is a nice touch for flavor.
There aren’t any highly processed or artificial ingredients, which is good. However, the modified food starch and vegetable base contain less desirable refined additives like maltodextrin, xanthan gum, and yeast extract.
The half and half adds a good amount of dairy richness, but also boosts the fat and calorie content. Overall, the ingredient list could be cleaner but is still pretty standard for a commercial cream-based tomato soup.
Taste Reviews
How does Jason’s Deli tomato basil soup actually taste? Here are some reviews from people who have tried it:
Sarah K. on Yelp:
“This soup is so creamy and delicious! You can really taste the fresh basil flavor. I like that it’s thick and rich but not overly heavy. It’s the perfect comfort food with a grilled cheese sandwich.” 4 out of 5 stars.
Mike R. on Google:
“I got this soup with my lunch order and thought it was just okay. The tomato flavor was nice and tomatoey but I didn’t really taste much basil. It was also pretty salty. Good but not anything special.” 3 out of 5 stars.
Jessica P. on TripAdvisor:
“This soup was a disappointment. I wanted it to be thick and creamy but it was surprisingly watery. The basil taste was barely detectable and it needed more seasoning. I wouldn’t order this soup again.” 2 out of 5 stars.
Brittany K. on Yelp:
“I’m obsessed with this tomato basil soup from Jason’s Deli! It’s rich and creamy with the most amazing fresh tomato and basil flavor. The touch of cream takes it over the top. Comfort food at its finest!” 5 out of 5 stars.
Based on these reviews, opinions seem a bit mixed. Some reviewers loved the rich, creamy texture and fresh basil flavor. But others found it too watery, salty, or lacking in basil taste. Quality may depend on the individual location.
How Does It Compare to Other Tomato Basil Soups?
Jason’s Deli’s take on tomato basil soup is comparable to some other popular brands. Here’s how it stacks up:
Panera Bread Tomato Basil Soup
– Panera’s version has 140 calories, 5g fat, and 480mg sodium per serving. So it’s lower in calories and sodium compared to Jason’s Deli.
– The ingredients are similar, with tomato puree, cream and modified food starch. Panera’s contains less dairy.
– Reviews suggest Panera’s has a fresher, more vibrant tomato basil flavor using fresh ingredients.
Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Basil Soup
– Campbell’s Condensed soup has 250 calories, 5g fat and 860mg sodium per serving. So more calories than Jason’s but slightly less sodium.
– Being a condensed product, the ingredients contain more sodium, preservatives and thickeners like corn starch. Not as fresh tasting.
– Reviews give Campbell’s solid marks for rich texture but say it lacks natural tomato flavor compared to Jason’s.
Progresso Tomato Basil Soup
– Progresso’s soup has 200 calories, 7g fat and 800mg sodium per serving. A bit lower in sodium than Jason’s.
– It uses tomato juice and tomato paste as main ingredients along with cream and basil.
– Reviews say Progresso’s has a thinner consistency but with more natural tomato flavor. Basil taste is minimal.
Overall, Jason’s Deli holds its own against the major brands. While it may lose out slightly on freshness of ingredients compared to Panera, it surpasses many others for creamy texture and fresh basil flavor.
Price
A bowl of Jason’s Deli tomato basil soup costs around $4.29 for a 16 ounce serving.
This puts it right in line with competitor pricing:
– Panera Bread: $5.79 for 16 ounce bowl
– Campbell’s Condensed: $1.99 for 10.5 ounce can
– Progresso: $2.29 for 19 ounce can
Considering it’s freshly made, Jason’s Deli’s tomato basil soup provides reasonable value. The convenience of dining in or taking away a hot bowl makes the slightly higher price worth it over canned options.
Is Jason’s Deli Tomato Basil Soup Healthy?
Compared to regular tomato soup, Jason’s Deli’s Tomato Basil variety is moderately healthy. Here are some factors to consider when judging its healthiness:
– It’s cream-based, which adds more calories, fat, and cholesterol than broth-based tomato basil soups. Still, 8g of fat per serving isn’t too high.
– Sodium is elevated at 840mg per serving. Not dangerously high, but something to watch for those limiting sodium.
– No artificial ingredients or preservatives is a plus.
– Provides a small amount of filling fiber and protein.
– Minimal added sugars at 8g per serving.
– Made from relatively simple, recognizable ingredients.
Overall, while not the healthiest soup option, Jason’s Deli tomato basil can be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation. Limiting added crackers or bread can help control calories, carbs, fat and sodium.
Conclusion
Jason’s Deli’s creamy tomato basil soup is a middle-of-the-road option that delivers on texture and flavor for a reasonable price. It strikes a good balance between healthfulness and indulgence. Reviews are somewhat mixed, but suggest it provides a comforting tomator-basil flavor when the recipe is followed consistently. Sodium levels are a little high, but no major red flags. Compared to canned condensed soups, it uses relatively fresh, natural ingredients. All things considered, while not the absolute best, Jason’s Deli tomato basil soup is a solid choice that delivers on its promise of flavor. It makes a tasty accompaniment to sandwiches and salads.